ON INSECTS AND VERMES. 375 



its tongue into the bloom of the honeysuckle ; it 

 scarcely settles upon the plants, but feeds on the 

 wing in the manner of humming birds. WHITE. 



I have frequently seen the large bee moth, (sphynx 

 stellatarum,) inserting its long tongue, or proboscis 

 into the centre of flowers, and feeding on their 

 nectar without settling on them, but keeping con- 

 stantly on the wing. MARK WICK. 



WILD BEE. There is a sort of wild bee fre- 

 quenting the garden-campion for the sake of its 

 tomentum, which probably it turns to some purpose 

 in the business of nidification. It is very pleasant 

 to see with what address it strips off the pubes, 

 running from the top to the bottom of a branch, and 

 shaving it bare with all the dexterity of a hoop 

 shaver. When it has got a vast bundle, almost as 

 large as itself, it flies away, holding it secure between 

 its chin and its fore legs. 



There is a remarkable hill on the downs near 

 Lewes, in Sussex, known by the name of Mount 

 Carburn, which overlooks that town, and affords a 

 most engaging prospect of all the country round, be- 

 sides several views of the sea. On the very summit 

 of this exalted promontory, and amidst the trenches 

 of its Danish camp, there haunts a species of wild 

 bee, making its nest in the chalky soil. When 

 people approach the place, these insects begin to be 

 alarmed, and, with a sharp and hostile sound, dash 

 and strike round the heads and faces of intruders. 

 I have often been interrupted myself, while contem- 

 plating the grandeur of the scenery around me, and 

 have thought myself in danger of being stung. 



WHITE. 



WASPS. Wasps abound in woody wild districts, 



